NITDA, Cal-Maji Foundation Forge Stronger Alliance to Bridge Nigeria’s Digital Divide
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding digital inclusion through strategic partnerships aimed at empowering underserved communities with digital skills and access to technology, in line with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, made the commitment during a courtesy visit by the Executive Director of Cal-Maji Foundation, Mrs. Faith Ayuba, to the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Represented by the Director of Digital Development Services, Mr. Oluwunmi Oladejo, Inuwa said collaboration with community-based organisations remains critical to achieving NITDA’s vision of ensuring that every Nigerian benefits from the opportunities of the digital economy.
He described the Foundation’s visit and positive feedback as a testament to the lasting impact of the Agency’s interventions across the country.
“It is always gratifying to receive feedback from communities that have benefited from our interventions. Many of these projects were implemented years ago, and it is rewarding to know they are still creating opportunities,” he said.
The NITDA boss explained that the Agency continues to monitor the performance of its intervention centres nationwide while leveraging emerging technologies to strengthen digital learning and virtual capacity-building initiatives.
According to him, NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework remains the cornerstone of efforts to equip children, students, artisans, farmers, professionals and other groups with the digital competencies required to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
Responding to requests for additional support, Inuwa disclosed that the Agency is considering training community-based instructors to sustain digital literacy programmes at the grassroots. He encouraged the Foundation to submit a formal request, backed by evidence of activities at its digital centre, to facilitate further intervention.
He, however, acknowledged that sustaining internet connectivity across intervention centres nationwide remains a major funding challenge that requires innovative solutions and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
Earlier, Executive Director of Cal-Maji Foundation, Mrs. Faith Ayuba, commended NITDA for its openness to partnerships and commitment to supporting impactful initiatives.
She described the Agency as one of the few government institutions that prioritises genuine impact over personal connections, noting that the Foundation focuses on improving access to education, strengthening food systems, enhancing food security and providing social protection for women and young people in hard-to-reach communities.
Ayuba revealed that the NITDA Knowledge Access Centre established at the Foundation’s community school in a border community in Kogi State has significantly transformed learning by providing students and residents with access to computers, internet connectivity and digital education.
“The ICT centre became an equaliser. Young people who ordinarily would never have had access to computers or the internet suddenly had the opportunity to acquire digital knowledge. We came back simply to say thank you because this partnership has changed lives,” she said.
She disclosed that more than 1,000 children have benefited from the Foundation’s educational programmes and presented a former student who advanced from the community school to a Nigerian university after leveraging the digital resources available at the centre.
According to her, the student’s success demonstrates the enduring impact of NITDA’s intervention in expanding educational opportunities for underserved communities.
Ayuba also appealed for deeper collaboration through the training of community instructors, upgrading of computer systems and expanded access to NITDA’s digital capacity-building programmes, stressing that rural communities must not be left behind as Nigeria embraces emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The meeting ended with both organizations reaffirming their commitment to strengthening collaboration, expanding digital opportunities and empowering underserved communities in support of Nigeria’s inclusive digital economy agenda.
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